PRESTON − The Famous Preston Night Rodeo will return for its 90th annual rodeo on July 31 through August 2 at the Franklin Country Fairgrounds, promising three days of tradition and family-friendly excitement.
The rodeo, which began in 1934, has been held every year since -- excluding one year during World War 2 when all the cowboys were off serving in the United States Military. Being what many call a small-town rodeo in the West, the Famous Preston Night Rodeo continues to be a community staple.
Each night of the rodeo, a parade will be held at 6 p.m. starting at 2nd N 1st W. The July 31 parade theme will be "Man Up. Domestic Abuse Awareness and Prevention," the August 1 parade theme will be “Patriot Night” and the August 2 parade theme will be “Celebrate Cowboy Night."
"That parade's been going on for as long as I can remember," said Thane Winward, a member of the rodeo's executive committee, regarding the nightly parades.
The rodeo starts at 8:30 p.m. with iconic rodeo events like saddle bronc riding, bull riding, bareback riding, calf roping, barrel racing and more. A specialty act by Jessica Blair Fowlkes from Crofton, Kentucky will also be held where she'll do tricks on her horses, Moose and Wishbone.
The "City of Fun" carnival, also a rodeo tradition, will be held all nights of the rodeo with rides and vendors. The Rodeo Days Sidewalk Sale will be held throughout the rodeo weekend down Preston's main street and Benson Park with more booths and food available.
"There's just a lot of energy in the stands," Winward said about the events. "A lot of the people that come are excited about coming."
Winward encourages outsiders to take a peek, even if it's just mingling with familiar faces outside of the arena.
Additionally, on August 1-2 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. the annual Preston City Amateur Golf Tournament and Preston Biathlon will be held. More information can be found at https://www.prestonrodeo.com/events.html.
Tickets for the rodeo can be found and purchased at https://www.rodeoticket.com/rodeos/that-famous-preston-night-rodeo/2025/tickets.